Scholarship Opportunities
Bridge4Students Merit Scholarship
Bridge4Students Merit Scholarships support qualified international students affected by conflict who are studying or have been accepted to study
at a college or university in the United States.
Scholarship Application Rounds
Bridge4Students typically runs two Merit Scholarship application rounds each year:
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Fall Semester: Applications are accepted in May-June for students beginning or continuing their studies in the fall.
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Spring Semester: Applications are expected to open in December for the following spring semester, subject to funding availability.
Specific application dates and deadlines will be posted on this page when each scholarship round opens.
About the Scholarship
The Bridge4Students Merit Scholarship will help qualified students experiencing financial hardships due to conflict in their country cover a portion of outstanding tuition expenses at U.S. colleges and universities.
Scholarship awards typically range from $200 to $5,000, depending on:
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Demonstrated need - the amount of funding needed to help enable the student to attend or continue their educational program.
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Merit - academic achievement, potential, and other accomplishments.
The Merit Scholarship Committee prioritizes qualified and talented students who:
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Are unable to continue their education in their home countries due to war and seek to pursue studies in the United States
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Have legal authorization to study in the United States
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Have been accepted to, are enrolling in, or are currently studying in a degree program at a full-time, in-person U.S. college or university
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Are beginning or continuing their studies during the semester covered by the applicable scholarship round.
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Have received or applied for other financial aid but still require “bridge” funding to make their U.S. education financially possible
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Have demonstrated strong academic achievement, including a minimum GPA of 3.5, along with other accomplishments
All applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to be considered. Before applying, please review the full eligibility criteria, application process, and FAQs below. We encourage students to apply only if they believe they meet all of the requirements.
Current Application Status
The Fall 2026 Merit Scholarship application is now closed. We are currently reviewing completed applications - scholarship recipients will be announced in October.
Information about the next scholarship round will be posted here when available.
Application Timeline: Application Deadline: June 10, 2025, 11:59 pm EST Interview Period: May 19 to June 18, 2025 (For applicants with completed applications. You’ll be able to schedule your interview at the end of the application) Final Decisions: by mid-July 2025. IMPORTANT: Interviews are a required step of the process. Applying close to the deadline may leave too little time to schedule one, which could affect your eligibility. Please apply early.
Other Scholarships and Funding Opportunities
Private and Foundation Scholarships
A database of scholarships and financial aid opportunities that you might want to consider.
University Funding Programs
for International Students
A list of universities that you can use when choosing a university/college as a guide to potential funding and to connect with students who can share their experiences and insights about opportunities at these universities through our network.
FAQ and Helpful Resources
Not sure where to start? We’ve put together a practical guide for international students pursuing higher education in the United States.
Our FAQs for International Students address common questions about applying to U.S. colleges and universities, finding financial aid and scholarship opportunities, navigating the admissions process, and identifying organizations and resources that can help along the way. Whether you are just beginning your search or looking for additional options to fund your education, start with our FAQs to understand your options and identify your next steps.
Explore some of the organizations and resources featured in our guide that can help you navigate U.S. education, admissions, funding, and other opportunities.
